The U.S. Coast Guard published regulations today establishing a national mandatory ballast water management program for all vessels equipped with ballast water tanks that enter or operate within U.S. waters.

These regulations also require vessels to maintain a ballast water management plan that is specific for that vessel and allows any master or appropriate official to understand and execute the ballast water management strategy for that vessel.

The Coast Guard says these regulations increase theits ability to prevent the introduction of non-indigenous species via ballast water as required by the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act and the National Invasive Species Act.

"The establishment of a nationwide mandatory ballast water management program is a major step by the Coast Guard in protecting our environment, food supply, economy, health and overall biodiversity from the impacts of non-indigenous species," said Capt. David Scott, chief of the Coast Guard's office of operating and environmental standards.

"Studies have shown that ballast water is a major pathway for the introduction of non-native species into U.S. coastal waters," said Lori Williams, executive director of the National Invasive Species Council. NISC is a Cabinet-level group composed of the secretaries or directors of 12 Departments and Agencies charged with providing leadership to all federal programs on invasive species issues. "The Coast Guard is an important member of NISC, and we congratulate all involved with the development of this regulation which should help aid in the prevention of future introductions and spread of potentially invasive species."

The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recently stated support for a national ballast water management program in its preliminary report.